Torch Heat Shield

ABSTRACT

A torch heat shield attachment for a butane torch or similar device includes an outer mesh material that is wrapper around an inner aluminum cylinder. The outer mesh material forms an outer mesh cylinder spaced around an inner mesh cylinder via a plurality of fasteners that secure the mesh in its cylindrical shape while spacing the formed inner and outer mesh cylinders to form a gap therebetween. The fasteners are removable and rearrangeable to customize the appearance of the torch heat shield. The aluminum plate, the two mesh cylinders formed by the mesh material, and the gap formed between the two mesh cylinders help to shield a user of the torch from excess heat by dissipating the heat from the torch tip.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63/072,048, filed on Aug. 28, 2020. The above identified patentapplication is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety toprovide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to attachments for butane torches andsimilar devices. More particularly, the present invention provides atorch heat shield that helps to dissipate heat and shield the torch userfrom excess heat.

Handheld torches, such as butane torches for example, are often used toignite combustible material for smoking devices. Butane torches haveother uses that require a high-output flame for an extended period oftime. While butane torches are useful, their exposed high-output flamecan be dangerous. If not careful, the torch user can accidentallycontact the edges of the flame and be burned. Further, the tip of thetorch becomes very hot after using the torch. Without a proper shield orcover overtop the tip, the user may accidentally contact the tip of thetorch and burn themselves. In order to address these concerns, thepresent invention provides a torch heat shield that can be attached to abutane torch or similar device, in order to dissipate heat and preventexcess heat from harming the user of the torch.

Devices have been disclosed in the known art that relate to heat shieldsfor torches. These include devices that have been patented and disclosedin patent application publications. However, the devices in the knownart have several drawbacks. These devices are typically meant forwelding torches and are unable to removably secure to butane torches andsimilar handheld torches. Further, these devices are typically aone-piece construction and unable to be customized in any way by theuser. The devices in the known art also lack the adjustability providedby the torch heat shield of the present invention, which can adapt tofit different sizes of torch tips.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a torch heat shield wherein the same canbe utilized for providing a heat shielding and dissipating accessory fora butane torch or similar device. The torch heat shield includes aninner plate rolled in a cylindrical configuration that removable securesto a torch tip. An outer mesh material is wrapped around the cylindricalinner plate. A plurality of fasteners secure the outer mesh material ina cylindrical configuration. The outer mesh material can be wrappedmultiple times around the inner plate to form outer and inner meshcylinders. The plurality of fasteners are adapted to space the inner andouter mesh cylinders apart from one another, defining a gap that helpsto further dissipate heat and shield the user from burns.

One object of the present invention is to provide a torch heat shieldhaving removable and rearrangeable fasteners that allow users tocustomize the fit and appearance of the torch heat shield.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a torch heatshield that can be adapted for use with different types and sizes oftorches.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a side elevation view embodiment of the torch heat shield.

FIG. 2 shows a front end elevation view of an embodiment of the torchheat shield.

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the inner aluminum plate and outer meshcomponents of an embodiment of the torch heat shield.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the torch heatshield secured to a torch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of the torch heat shield. For the purposes of presenting abrief and clear description of the present invention, a preferredembodiment will be discussed as used for providing a heat dissipatingshield that prevents users of a torch from accidentally contacting hotsurfaces or otherwise burning themselves with the torch. The figures areintended for representative purposes only and should not be consideredto be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a side elevation view embodimentof the torch heat shield. The torch heat shield 10 generally includes aninner plate rolled in a cylindrical configuration and configured toremovable secure to a torch tip. The inner plate 11 can be composed ofaluminum or other materials that have a high heat conductivity fordissipating the heat into the surroundings. An outer mesh materialwrapped around the cylindrical inner plate. In the shown embodiment, theouter mesh material is a sheet of mesh material that is long enough towrap around the inner plate 11 forming an inner mesh cylinder 12, and tocontinue to wrap around to form an outer mesh cylinder 13 around theinner mesh cylinder 12. A plurality of fasteners 14 are configured tosecure the outer and inner mesh cylinders 12, 13 formed mesh material intheir cylindrical configurations. In the shown embodiment, each fastener14 is a flexible wire fastener that wraps through individual openings onthe mesh material. The fasteners 14 are removable and rearrangeable soas to customize the appearance of the torch heat shield 10 withdifferent colors and patterns of fasteners.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a front end elevation view of anembodiment of the torch heat shield. The inner plate 11 wraps around thetorch tip 21 in a cylindrical configuration and can be secured viafasteners or a friction fit. The inner and outer cylinders 12, 13 ofmesh material are shown formed from two sheets of mesh material in thisembodiment, with individual fasteners 14 securing them in place. Thefasteners 14 secure the opposing ends 22, 23 of the mesh material incylindrical configurations and help to define the space or gap 15between the cylinders 12, 13 that further dissipates heat. In otherembodiments, the cylinders 12, 13 are formed from a continuous length ofmesh sheet and overlap one another, such that shown in FIG. 1, forexample.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a top plan view of the innerplate and outer mesh components of an embodiment of the torch heatshield. The inner plate 11 includes a plurality of apertures thatincrease the overall surface area of the inner plate 11 and help tofurther dissipate heat. In the shown embodiment, the inner plate 11includes a plurality of small apertures 31 each having a diameter lessthan a diameter of larger apertures 32. Further, the small apertures 31and the large apertures 32 are positioned in an alternating patternacross a surface of the inner plate 11. This arrangement further helpswith dissipating heat. As shown, the mesh material 12 includes a firstend 33 opposing a second end 34 that can be wrapped to connect in thecylindrical configuration. Further, the mesh material 12 includesdiamond shaped openings 35. In other embodiments, other shapes and sizesof openings in the mesh material 12 may be utilized.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the torch heat shield secured to a torch. The torch 41includes a nozzle 42 that emits the flame. The inner plate 11 securesaround the main nozzle of the torch. The mesh material wraps around theinner plate 11, forming an inner mesh cylinder 12 surrounded by an outermesh cylinder 13. The fasteners 14 secure the mesh material in itscylindrical configuration around the inner plate 11. The two meshmaterial cylinders 12, 13 and the inner plate 11 work together todissipate heat and shield the user of the torch from the heat generatedby the torch nozzle 42. The gap between the two mesh cylinders 12, 13helps to provide additional heat dissipation.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown anddescribed in what is considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be madewithin the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications willoccur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the abovedescription then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensionalrelationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations insize, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assemblyand use, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specification are intended to beencompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing isconsidered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.Further, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exactconstruction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, allsuitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, fallingwithin the scope of the invention.

I claim: 1) A torch heat shield comprising: an inner plate rolled in acylindrical configuration and configured to removable secure to a torchtip; an outer mesh material wrapped around the cylindrical inner plate;a plurality of fasteners configured to secure the outer mesh material ina cylindrical configuration; wherein the plurality of fasteners areremovable and rearrangeable so as to customize the appearance of thetorch heat shield. 2) The torch heat shield of claim 1, wherein theouter mesh material is continuous and forms a first mesh cylinderwrapping around the cylindrical inner plate and a second mesh cylinderwrapping around the first mesh cylinder. 3) The torch heat shield ofclaim 2, further comprising a gap between the first mesh cylinder andthe second mesh cylinder. 4) The torch heat shield of claim 3, whereinthe gap is at least partially defined by the plurality of fastenersspacing the first mesh cylinder apart from the second mesh cylinder. 5)The torch heat shield of claim 1, wherein the inner plate is composed ofaluminum. 6) The torch heat shield of claim 1, wherein each fastener ofthe plurality of fasteners comprises a flexible wire fastener. 7) Thetorch heat shield of claim 1, wherein the inner plate comprises aplurality of apertures thereon. 8) The torch heat shield of claim 7,wherein the plurality of apertures includes a plurality of smallapertures each having a diameter less than a diameter of a largeraperture of a plurality of large apertures. 9) The torch heat shield ofclaim 8, wherein the small apertures and the large apertures arepositioned in an alternating pattern across a surface of the innerplate. 10) The torch heat shield of claim 1, wherein the mesh materialincludes a plurality of diamond shaped openings.